Description

Fund for States (FFS) compensates employees competitively and provides a very generous benefits package. We believe in work-life balance and understand that every employee has unique circumstances at home. We offer employees significant amounts of time off as well as flexible work options. We're dedicated to treating one another with respect in the workplace and prioritize racial, equity, and inclusion (REI) in our work with one another as well as with our stakeholders.

About Fund for States
The forces working to undermine our democracy are not backing down. From efforts by the losing Supreme Court candidate in North Carolina to throw out 60,000 votes to billionaires like Elon Musk pouring money to tip the scales for their chosen candidates, they continue to find new ways to threaten our democracy. Election deniers are doubling down—pushing conspiracy theories, eroding trust in our elections, and even threatening the very people who make our democracy function. We've seen the consequences: restrictive voting laws, confusion at the polls, and a growing number of Americans questioning the legitimacy of our elections. And here's the kicker: while the threats are getting bigger, national investment is shrinking. All this, at a time when state and local races in 2026 will determine who administers our elections in 2028 and who controls the census process in 2030. This is a defining moment for our democracy, and Fund for States is stepping up with bold and innovative approaches so every voter has the facts they need—when and where they need them. Fund for States is dedicated to building a democracy that works for every voter. We work with state and local election officials and community organizations to educate the public, combat disinformation, and restore trust in the electoral process—while holding anti-democracy actors accountable.

About State + Local Election Alliance
Fund for States has an affiliated Political Action Committee, State + Local Election Alliance (SLEA), that is dedicated to supporting and winning state and hyper-local elections. As an employee of Fund for States, you will also conduct work for State + Local Election Alliance. The future of our democracy hinges on the integrity and accessibility of our elections. While national attention often focuses on presidential races, the true battleground for fair elections lies at the state and local levels. That's because the winners of the 2025, 2026, and 2027 elections will determine how elections are conducted in 2028 - where and when we vote, how ballots are counted, the legal fights, and the entire certification process. This means the race for the White House (and every other election) starts today. So, in order to preserve our elections, we have to protect the people who run them in states and localities around the country – from attorneys general to secretaries of state; from city councils to mayors – and the thousands of races in between. Republicans have been investing at the state and local level for decades through centralized entities. But there hasn't been the same concerted effort for Democrats. That's why State + Local Election Alliance is laser-focused on the state and local races that will decide the future of our elections, and our democracy – in the states that will matter most for the 2028 election.

Finance Director
Fund for States is seeking a full-time Finance Director to own and grow the fundraising program across Fund for States and State + Local Election Alliance. This is a senior leadership role at an organization scaling quickly in the most consequential cycle for election administration in a generation. 

Fund for States and State + Local Election Alliance is on track to raise $25 million for 2026 — up from $5 million just two years ago, a five-fold increase that reflects both the urgency of the moment and the credibility we've built with donors who understand that election administration is decided far from the top of the ticket. But 2026 isn't the finish line. Spring 2027 brings another round of state and local elections, which means the fundraising program can't wind down the moment November passes — it has to be built to sustain itself year over year. This role isn't just about hitting this cycle's number; it's about building the infrastructure, donor relationships, and institutional pipeline that let us raise at this scale continuously, cycle after cycle, for as long as election administration remains contested.

The Finance Director authors the fundraising and finance plan, carries a personal portfolio of major donors and institutional funders, drives the principals' donor time, and builds the systems and team that let both entities raise at scale. The role manages the Fundraising Manager and works closely with the leadership team, fundraising consultants, and communications staff.

This role is ideal for a fundraiser who has run a program rather than supported one — someone strategic enough to build the plan and hands-on enough to work the list themselves. The right candidate is a strong writer, credible in the room with high-capacity donors, comfortable navigating the differences between raising for an advocacy organization and raising for its affiliated PAC, and energized by down-ballot work that rarely makes headlines.

Responsibilities

• Own the fundraising and finance plan. Develop, execute, and continuously revise the annual and cycle fundraising plan across both entities, including revenue targets by channel and entity, donor prioritization, and a calendar of asks.
• Carry a major donor portfolio. Personally cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of major donors and institutional funders, and close gifts at the top of the pyramid.
• Direct prospecting strategy. Set prospect research priorities and pipeline strategy, and grow the donor base beyond its current core.
  Drive principal time. Set the call time and donor meeting agenda for the Executive Director and other principals, hold the calendar, and ensure follow-up converts to revenue.
• Lead partner and coalition fundraising. Manage relationships and joint fundraising efforts with partner organizations, donor networks, and coalitions.
• Own donor-facing materials. Direct the creation and upkeep of pitch decks, proposals, donor briefs, and impact reporting that accurately reflect the programs and results of both entities.
• Manage the team. Supervise and develop the Fundraising Manager, and manage fundraising consultants and vendors and their deliverables.
• Forecast and report. Provide leadership with reliable revenue projections to inform budgeting, and set the reporting standards that give leadership visibility into progress against goals.
• Coordinate across channels. Work with communications and digital staff to align donor-facing communications and grassroots fundraising with the overall plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Outcomes

• Both entities meet or exceed quarterly and annual fundraising goals, with revenue diversified across donors and channels.
• A written fundraising plan exists, is current, and is actively driving the team's priorities.
• The Finance Director's personal portfolio grows in both size and yield year over year.
• Principals spend their donor time on the highest-value asks, well prepared and consistently followed up.
• The Fundraising Manager is well supported, clear on priorities, and developing toward greater responsibility.
• Leadership can rely on fundraising projections when making budget decisions.

Qualifications

• At least four cycles of campaign, committee, or nonprofit fundraising experience, including significant experience soliciting and closing major gifts.
• A demonstrated record of personally raising significant funds and meeting or exceeding revenue goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience building and owning a fundraising plan, not solely executing one.
• Experience managing call time, donor pipelines, and principals.
• Experience supervising staff and managing consultants.
• Non-federal experience preferred; experience raising for both an advocacy organization and an affiliated PAC is a significant plus.
• Working knowledge of campaign finance rules and comfort partnering with compliance counsel.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with a high degree of professionalism, and the ability to produce donor-facing materials such as decks, proposals, and memos.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with Google Sheets, NGPVAN, Numero, or other donor database systems, plus strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through.
• Ability to work independently, exercise discretion, and maintain confidentiality.
• Willingness to learn, collaborate, and adapt in a fast-moving environment.

Physical Requirements
Fund for States is committed to supporting employees of varying abilities and to providing reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to thrive at Fund for States. The requirements of this role, related to its physical demands, described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Essential functions of the role include: working from a computer for long periods of time; frequent communication with internal and external stakeholders via phone, video conferencing, email, and in-person interactions; travel for donor meetings and events; use of standard office equipment, including a computer and phone is required. This position is eligible for flexible work hour arrangements, subject to organizational needs. If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process or in the role itself, please reach out to the hiring manager directly..

Pay & Benefits
Salary for the Finance Director position is $120,000 – $150,000 on an annualized basis, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Fund for States offers a generous benefit package, including:

• More than 25 days of paid time off, including for Federal holidays, time off around Federal holidays including the week between Christmas and New Year, vacation, sick, and personal days;
• Fully paid health/vision/dental insurance for the employee;
• Employer-Sponsored 401k plan;
• Monthly $100 mobile phone reimbursement
• One-time $1,000 technology stipend
• Up to $125/month for co-working space in your area

How to Apply
To apply for this position, please email a resume and brief cover letter to abbey@fundforstates.org.

When an applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to compete for this position, they may request it in writing by emailing abbey@fundforstates.org. Applicants will be screened on a rolling basis. Fund for States is committed to an inclusive and equitable environment and diversity among its staff and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to engaging, retaining, and supporting a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents.

Fund for States is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical or mental disability, personal appearance, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, or any other legally protected basis. Fund for States will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.